Audi TT Roadster review

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The Audi TT Roadster is nearing the end of its production run. Jonathan Crouch takes a final look at what the third generation version has to offer.

Ten Second Review

As the production run of this third generation Audi TT Roadster edges towards its end, Ingolstadt has announced well-equipped 'Final Edition' variants and a slimmed-down range reminding us that this car still has a lot to offer. As before, it really makes the numbers when it comes to performance and efficiency. Choose from 2.0 or 2.5-litre petrol, front or quattro all-wheel drive, with potent TT S and TT RS mdels at the top of the range.

Background

The Audi TT will always be remembered as a coupe. That's an inescapable fact. Despite this, the contribution of the Roadster model to overall sales shouldn't be overlooked, the open car accounting for around 25 per cent of all registrations. Since it first appeared in 1998, the TT Roadster has been a consistent thorn in the side of first the BMW Z3, then the Z4 and all generations of the Mercedes SLK. It's been available in front or four wheel-drive, with power outputs from a modest 150PS right up to the barnstorming 340PS TT RS model. In other words, it's had a very wide brief to fulfil.

That's didn't change with this third generation model announced in 2014 and lightly revised since. If the first generation car brought us some extreme styling and the second gen model improved the driving dynamics, this third stab at the formula has done well in taking the best of both prior cars while developing superior safety, refinement and efficiency. But it won't be in production much longer.

Driving Experience

The TT Roadster features an electrically actuated fabric top. This roof features excellent acoustic and thermal insulation, with particular attention paid to the frequencies generated by the passing airflow. A thick fleece layer on the black inner headlining helps reduce the noise level in the interior by up to 6 dB compared with the old pre-2014-era MK2 generation TT Roadster.

In recent years, Audi's tinkered a little with the engine line-up in this revised MK3 model TT Roadster. The engines and transmissions on offer mirror those of the coupe model, which means that the base petrol unit is a 2.0-litre TFSI powertrain with 197PS (badged '40 TFSI'). This engine also comes in 245PS form badged as the '45 TFSI'. There's now no longer a diesel option. The TTS retains its existing badging but recently was tweaked with a slight reduction in power (306PS, down from 310PS) but a little extra torque to compensate, so the rest to 62mph sprint figure (4.5s) is actually fractionally improved. The flagship model remains the 400PS 2.5-litre five cylinder TT RS, which only comes with S tronic auto transmission and can get to 62mph in 3.7s.

In conjunction with the 197PS 2.0 TFSI engine, customers now have to have the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto transmission that's standard across the rest of the range. The 245PS 45 TFSI variant comes only with the brand's multi-plate clutch-based quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The TTS of course features quattro as standard. With Steptronic transmission, the close-ratio lower gears enable powerful acceleration, while the wide ratio of each transmission's highest gear reduces the engine speed and with it fuel consumption.

By networking quattro drive with the standard 'drive select' driving mode system, the TT driver can adjust the operating parameters of the all-wheel-drive system to suit his or her individual requirements. In 'auto' mode, optimum traction and balanced driving dynamics are given priority. In 'dynamic' mode, torque is distributed to the rear axle earlier and to a higher degree. In the drive select "efficiency" mode, the set-up can temporarily shut down the quattro system if conditions suit this. Audi's magnetic ride adaptive damper control system is fitted as standard to the TTS and is optional for all other versions.

Design and Build

The third-gen TT Roadster is undoubtedly a handsome piece of pen work, though it does look much better with the roof down. Styling changes over recent years have seen a revised design for the three-dimensional Singleframe radiator grille and larger side air inlets. The big front grille gives the car a mean look and there are some lovely details. The fuel flap on the right side panel is the classic circle surrounded by socket screws. This shape of it is reminiscent of the first-generation TT, although here there is no filler cap beneath the flap. This means that there is nothing to be unscrewed and the pump nozzle slots straight into the tank neck.

Inside, the fascia is dominated by the Audi Virtual Cockpit, featuring an additional sport display providing information on engine output, torque and g forces. Located directly behind the steering wheel, a 1440 x 540 pixel, 12.3-inch digital screen shows all information directly in front of the driver. Operated via the MMI Touch button, voice control and the multi-function steering wheel, the display can be switched between 'classic', with prominent speedometer and rev counter, or 'infotainment', which brings functions such as the navigation map or media to the fore.

The round air vents - a classic TT feature - are reminiscent of jet engines with their turbine-like design. The vents also contain all the controls for the air conditioning system, including seat heating where applicable, plus temperature, direction, air distribution and air flow strength. They can also house small digital displays which show the chosen setting. The boot measures a modest 280-litres (down from 305-litres in the Coupe) but the good thing is that folding the roof doesn't encroach on this capacity.

Market and Model

To coincide with the launch of the TT 'Final Edition' series, Audi UK has streamlined its model offering for this sports roadster. The outgoing line-up of 11 model derivatives has been reduced to six: 'S Line', 'Black Edition', 'Final Edition', 'S Final Edition', 'RS' and 'RS Sport Edition'. 'S line' model Roadster prices start from around £36,000. You'll need from around £44,000 for the 'Final Edition'-spec in front-driven 40 TFSI form, with around £48,500 needed for the 45 TFSI quattro 'Final Edition' and around £56,500 needed for the TTS 'Final Edition'. The Roadster body style requires a premium of around £1,700 over the coupe.

The 'Final Edition' versions are marked out by the black styling pack with black Audi rings and badging, black door mirrors, black tailpipes and a fixed rear spoiler also finished in black. Privacy glass and red brake calipers housed behind 20-inch 5-spoke Y-style, plus matt grey diamond cut alloy wheels complete the exterior upgrade. TT S 'Final Editions' ride on Audi Sport 7-spoke rotor, anthracite black alloys with gloss turned finish. Buyers have the choice between Tango Red, Glacier White and Chronos Grey metallic paint as standard.

Inside the 'Final Edition' models, the armrests in the doors, door pull handles and trim on the centre console are all finished in leather as part of the extended leather pack. An Alcantara steering wheel with red stitching and 12 o'clock marker is unique to the 'Final Edition'. Further enhancements include Alcantara-trimmed seats with decorative red stitching and red piping on the floor mats.

Cost of Ownership

The TT Roadster has always been one of the most efficient sports roadsters out there - and nothing's changed in that regard, though you can't have a diesel variant any more. It certainly helps that all up, the TT 2.0 TFSI Roadster weighs just 1,320kg thanks to the extensive use of aluminium chassis members, body panels and suspension componentry. The 40 TFSI variant manages 40.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 159g/km of CO2. When the Audi drive select system is set to its 'efficiency' mode, the S tronic transmission decouples and 'freewheels' each time the driver takes his or her foot off the throttle pedal.

The warranty covers you for unlimited mileage in the first two years of ownership and up to 60,000 miles in the third year and is transferable between owners. Pay more and that can be extended to a fourth year, again with unlimited miles in the first and second years but a more generous 75,000 mile allowance in years three and four. When it comes to maintenance, servicing your TT should be no more taxing than is the case with one of the company's lesser models. As usual with Audi, there's a choice of either a 'Fixed' or a 'Flexible' servicing regime, the choice between the two depending on the extent of your likely annual mileage. Residual values look set to be very beefy if previous TT models are anything to go by.

Summary

The TT Roadster remains an extremely well thought-out sportscar and deserves to continue to sell well. We can't help but think that Audi could have been a little more expressive with the car's styling, given that this was once one of the most extreme-looking roadsters sensible money could buy, but hey, we all grow old and ditch the fashion duds for sensible slacks at some point. What's encouraging about this car is that it includes so much in a package that doesn't compromise on the ideals of its predecessors. It's light but feels built from granite, it's quick but returns efficient fuel figures and, should you need it, there's always the reassurance of Audi's quattro transmission to offer a welcome safety net.

Of course, there will be some who claim the TT Roadster was a compromise to begin with. Whereas the BMW Z4 and the old Mercedes SLK were clean-sheet sports car designs, the TT began life as a strange amalgam of platform-shared parts and that hasn't really changed. Perhaps that's the genius in this car; that Audi's mix and match collection worked out better than the blue-sky thinking of its rivals. Who knows? What's not up for debate is that this car's still as desirable as ever.